“Nothing ever so common.”12.20.83-5.17.98

Today, Jay and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary and eight years from the day that we first met outside of the Pour House in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. I have a shitty memory when it comes to events (I’m AMAZING at birthdays, phone numbers, and names), but I remember the events of April 27-29 like they were yesterday. Jay almost didn’t even meet me because he wanted to sleep in and lounge around. I am so happy that he did.

Zachary and I had a really great day today. We didn’t do a lot, but we had a really fun day. We played with his toys, we read some books, we went to the playground (for about 15 minutes before he had enough haha), and we visited Daddy at work.

But honestly, today was awesome because I made Zachary laugh freely several times. Usually, you can get him to giggle when you tickle him or blow raspberries on his tummy, but today, all bets were off. He even cracked up while we were being silly in the shower. I kept splashing water on my face and he would laugh when the water hit me. It was so cute. Here is a video I took at the end of the day, after we ate dinner. We were playing with his toys. I love how he’s learning to laugh freely. It’s seriously THE BEST.

If anyone has questions for any of the guests, please email them to JayandJack@gmail.com and put the person the question is for in the subject line.

Donation information:

1. PayPal. The email address to donate is LPDonate@gmail.com. If you are going to donate, please select the option “I’m sending money to family or friends” when filling it out on PayPal’s site. It’s free to send money this way for both parties if you have a PayPal account. This is what it’ll look like:

2. By check, which you can make out to AUTISM SPEAKS and mail to:

Raleigh IcePlex
c/o Jay and Jack
2601 Raleigh Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604

Please email Colleen at JayandJackTV@gmail.com with any questions at all!

I have been a huge fan of The X-Files since my dad & I first watched it for my 14th birthday on February 8, 1998. I’ll never forget my first X-Files experience. The episode was “Chinga,” written by Stephen King. I was hooked immediately. I went on a quest to watch all of the episodes I had missed from the previous four seasons, taking the VHS tapes out of the library and catching up with it in syndication on FX. Anyone remember when FX used to have their big X-Files marathons for Thanksgiving? I LOVED THOSE. Seriously, I read behind-the-scene books and delved into Internet forums (this was 1998-1999, so it was way back in the beginning stages of Internet fandom). I even created a big binder that had the plot of every X-Files episode printed out along with trivia about each episode and season. My grandpa helped me make that. I think I still have it somewhere and will have to take a picture of it.

Anyway, I seriously loved The X-Files. I bet I could still pull up random trivia and episode knowledge. I probably could still name an episode title for seasons 1-5 if you described it to me. I had a poster in my room growing up. I made Top 10 lists of my favorite episodes for no one to see but me! So yeah, I love me some Mulder and Scully.

Naturally, I was super excited to hear rumors and a confirmation today that The X-Files would be going the 24 route and returning for a new season of six episodes, probably sometime next year. Hopefully, the show will return as strong as it was in its first six seasons. There are more details here. I have to admit that as bad as the show was in its final season (I actually liked the Robert Patrick season), I nearly cried with joy just to read this Twitter exchange:

I always knew we’d get more X-Files, but I figured it’d be another movie. I am so excited for another season. I just have to find time to do a rewatch. Man, this is seriously awesome news. Who else is excited for more Mulder, Scully, and Skinner in their lives?!

I always love the chance to plug my friends’ endeavors, whether it’s an Esty shop, Kickstarter, their blogs, listening to their podcast, etc. Today, I need to give a shout out to my cousin Theresa and her delicious Etsy shop. It’s call Treats by Theresa, and it features a variety of delightfully tasty goodies, particularly different flavored gourmet jellies and jams, pickles & peppers, and desserts. She also has a few other non-food items up for sale, as well. If you have a moment, please check it out: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreatsbyTheresa

My favorite item sold on Treats by Theresa is the Caramel Apple Jelly. I love it so much that I can go through an entire jar by myself in less than two weeks. I got Jay into it, too, and now when we order it, we have to order two so we can each have one. I highly recommend it. Another good one is the Pepper Jam. That’s my sister’s favorite. The California Red Wine Jelly is also quite delicious. Her desserts are great too, particularly the tree bark (which I don’t think is up right now, but she’ll make it on request). We also have a jar of pickles in our fridge right now that she made for us for Christmas. Also outstanding.

I know that they’re a little pricy after shipping, but if you’re into gourmet jellies and jams, I can’t recommend Treats by Theresa enough. Please consider checking out her store and giving some of her items a try. Thank you!

[Side note: This is a great article on how “commercial” Etsy has become. From now on, I’m going to try to support the individual shops on there rather than the ones that probably belong to “the man.”]

I saw this story a couple of weeks ago, but I finally got around to reading it tonight and I wanted to share it in case anyone hasn’t heard about it yet. A “lost” Sherlock Holmes story was recently found by a Scottish historian in the attic of his home in Selkirk. I say “lost” because the man knew he had the book it was found in, but for the last 50 years, forgot about it. Oh yeah…and the authorship is up for question.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle allegedly wrote the short story in 1903 to help raise money for a new bridge after the town’s old one was swept away in a flood. “Sherlock Holmes: Discovering the Border Burghs and, By Deduction, the Brig Bazaar” was a part of a collection of stories that were compiled together during the fundraiser and featured in The Book o’ the Brig.

The title is pretty much self-explanatory, but the basic premise is that an editor demands that his reporter interview Sherlock Holmes, but refuses to send him to London to do the task. Instead, the writer decides to fabricate an entire conversation between Holmes and John Watson. The duo is discussing how Sherlock wants Watson on hand to help solve the ‘Mysteries of the Secret Cabinet,’ but Watson will be away attending the Selkirk bridge festival. The exchange sounds authentic if not – and I can’t believe I am going to give this opinion of a Sherlock story – more wordy Sir A.C. Doyle’s usual style. I think authorship is a 50/50 toss-up. It’s possible that the entire premise of a made-up Sherlock Holmes story is a tongue-in-cheek reference from someone that the story is also made up. Or, Doyle could have been having a little laugh with his audience at the time. I guess we’ll never know.

The story is after the break. It’s not too long. What do you think? Do you think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote “Sherlock Holmes: Discovering the Border Burghs and, By Deduction, the Brig Bazaar?” Is anyone else having trouble imagining Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman having a similar exchange, and having that cloud your judgment?